Scouring device



Oct. 9, 1928.

R. B. KINGMAN SCOURING DEVICE Filed May 29, 1924 1N VEN TOR.

BY I C; 40./

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUSSELL B. KINGMAN, OF ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO METAL TEXTILE CORPORATION, WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, A

CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

scoURING DEvIcE.

Application filed May 29,

This invention relates, generally, to improvements in scouring devices; and the invention has reference, more particularly, to a novel construction of hand implement or device, providing an abrasive quality, for

cleansing and scouring operations of various kinds, such, for example, as cleansing and scouring cooking and kitchen utensils, and for similar operations.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novel form and construction of splinterless spongiform and resilient abrasive mass made of a metallic or comp osite metallic and vegetable yarn fabric, and adapted to provide a hand implement or device, which in use will not cast off metallic particles or splinters, which are likely to prick the users fingers, or lodge in pans or utensils to ultimately enter into food prepared therein and thus likely to be taken into the human system with frequently deleterious effects.

The invention has for a further object to provide a spongiform resilient abrasive mass of a novel convolved formation, adapted to more easily hold its shape under wear, and be less likely to unravel or become stringy, with consequent loss of appearance and comfort in handling.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the following detailed description of the same.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1, 2 and 3 are detail views showing various steps illustrative of a method of convolving rolls or twists of fabric into a ball-like mass forming the finished scouring implement; Figure 4 is a view of a finished convolved ball-like mass produced from rolled fabric; and Figure 5 is a View of a finished convolved ball-like mass produced from twists or braids of fabric.

Similar characters of reference are employed in al1 of the hereinabove described views, to indicate corresponding parts.

In making up the novel scouring implement in the form of a convolved spongiform mass, according to the principles of this invention, I employ an abrasive metallic tubular knit fabric of the kind Shown and described in the Kessler, United States Letters Patent No. 1,449,184, for scouring imple- 1924. Serial No. 716,609.

ment, or like the abrasive fabric shown in my own pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 645,282, filed June 14, 1923, or, in fact, any kind of knitted or woven metallic or composite metallic and fibre fabric, which, by reason of its metallic threads or gimps, will provide an abrading action in use. I take a suitable length of any such abrasive fabric, and I roll the same lengthwise upon itself to form a rope 13 (see Figures l, 2 and If desired I may take one or more of such ropes 13 and twist or braid the same together. Having formed a rope or twist of a suitable length of abrasive fabric, by the above described method, or by any other suitable method, I then convolve one or more of the ropes, twists or braids together to form a compact spongiform abrasive mass of desired shape. Various methods may be employed in thus convolving the ropes, twists or braids of fabric together, according to the shape or conformat1on desired to be given the finished article. It may be desirable to give the finished device a ball-like or spheroidal form, in which case the ropes, twists or braids of fabric are convolved or interwoven or knotted upon themselves in the general manner indicated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, thereby producing the spheroidal convolved spongiform scouring implement 17, such as are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

The advantages of the spongiform abrasive scouring implements, formed from suitably convolved knotted ropes, twists or braids of abrasive fabric, are that the interlocking of the convolved portions tends to securely hold the finished mass in the shape Ato which it is finally reduced; and furthermore when the fabric wears in use, so that holes are formed in the outermost layers thereof, the tendency of the fabric to unravel or become stringy is to a very substantial degree prevented, and final disintegration of the mass greatly delayed. Aside from these especial advantages, which a're due to the specific nature of the convolved structure wrought from ropes, twists or braids of the abrasive fabric, the resilient spongiform mass comprising the novel scouring device possesses, likewise, all the general advantages in that it provides a highly eflicient abrasive quality, splinterless characteristics, a highly porous structure tending to make it easy to maintain the same clean and sanitary, and a yieldable or resilient body, not only comfortable to the hand of the user but also adapted to readily conform to the surface against which it is rubbed When in use.

It Will be quite evident that other specific forms and methods of convolving and interlocking together or knotting the ropes7 or twists of fabric may be employed beyond those specifically mentioned above and illustrated in the drawings, and yet still embody the principles underlying the present invention. l

I claim A scouring pad comprising a compact resilient spongiform abrasive mass formed of a rope of abrasive metallic fabric knotted onto itself.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above, I have hereunto set my hand this 22nd day of May, 1924.

RUSSELL B. KINGMAN. 

